83 percent residents back UAE’s peaceful N-energy programme

Abu Dhabi / WAM

A national poll on nuclear energy has shown that 83 percent of UAE residents are in favour of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme. The research shows some of the highest favourability rates for nuclear energy in the world and is now at 83 percent, an increase of 13 percent since the last poll conducted in 2013.
Strong levels of awareness and support for the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant to eventually provide up to 25 percent of the nation’s electricity were also shown, with 92 percent of residents stating they believed it to be important for the UAE.
The poll was commissioned by the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and conducted by the independent global market research specialists Kantar TNS. The survey is part of ENEC’s community outreach programme, which involves a range of activities including public forums, educational initiatives
and participation in nationally significant events.
“The results of this survey show that ENEC’s regular and active engagement with the public is increasingly successful,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of ENEC.
“The findings of the research conclude that UAE residents support the development of peaceful nuclear energy because it plays a strategic role in powering the future growth of the nation,” continued Al Hammadi.
ENEC remains committed to investing resources in the development of stakeholder engagement activities and communication campaigns designed to further explain the benefits of nuclear energy in generating electricity with near-zero carbon emissions and offer career opportunities for talented UAE nationals.
The CEO added, “It is encouraging to know that so many UAE residents are not only aware of the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy but actively support the work we are doing at Barakah, with 90 percent of respondents believing that ENEC is building our plant at Barakah to the highest standards of safety and quality.”
More than 750 people were interviewed across the UAE as part of the study, in a group of respondents that was reflective of the demographics of the UAE.
The UAE’s approach to the development of a peaceful nuclear energy programme continues to receive strong support from the international community, as a benchmark for countries interested in exploring nuclear energy for the
first time.

Third national report on
nuclear safety presented

Abu Dhabi / WAM

The UAE has presented its third national report at the Seventh Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
Hamad Ali Al-Ka’abi, Permanent Representative of the UAE to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) presented the report during the meeting, which took place at the headquarters of the IAEA in Vienna, Austria.
The report was a collective effort of various UAE organisations including the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management
Authority (NCEMA) and other leading organisations.
The purpose of the report is to describe the legislative, regulatory and administrative measures that the UAE has taken to fulfil its obligations as a Contracting Party to the Convention on Nuclear Safety.
The third national report highlighted significant changes in UAE’s nuclear energy programme since the last review meeting. It covered other aspects of FANR’s licensing for the construction of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant such as FANR’s approval of 17 proposed safety design enhancements, which enhance the design of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant against seismic events and flooding, and improve the plant’s capability to mitigate the consequences of severe accidents.

The report went on to discuss other aspects of FANR’s regulatory oversight such as its structured programme of inspections to review and evaluate ENEC’s operational readiness.

“Nuclear safety is a top priority for the UAE nuclear sector, this is demonstrated through the successful progress and achievements the UAE made over the last few years,” said Al-Ka’abi.

“The review process resulted in a wide recognition of the nuclear safety framework in the UAE, confirming we have met all international obligations and adopted best practices in the area of nuclear safety” he added.

The UAE has been a Contracting Party to the Convention since 2009. The Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety have reviewed the UAE’s third national report. The UAE has received over 60 questions from the Contracting Parties all of which have been answered in detail and published. The report is available to the public and can be accessed on the FANR website.